Water is important to keep our bodies functioning correctly. In fact, 60% of our bodyweight is made of water. Water helps cleanse the body of toxins and brings nutrients to cells. It is especially important to pay attention to water intake in hot climates or when exercising.

Women need about 9 cups while men need about 13 cups of total beverages a day. However, living in a hotter climate or working out easily increases this amount.

Dehydration occurs when your body does not have the amount of water it needs in order to perform normal functions. This will drain the body of energy even if it is only mild dehydration.

So remember to drink more water this summer so you can stay energized and hydrated!

For more information, check out: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Blueberry Ice: In a blender or food processor, combine the blueberries and grape juice and pulse until mixed, about 30 seconds.

Working in batches, strain the mixture into a medium-size bowl through a medium mesh strainer. Add the maple syrup, lemon juice, and salt to the bowl and stir to combine.

Transfer the mixture to a 9- by 13-inch pan, cover it with plastic wrap, and freeze it for 1 hour. Remove the pan and scrape the mixture’s frozen edges into the center with a fork. Freeze it another hour, then scrape the ice crystals into the center again. Return the pan to the freezer for at least 1 more hour, or overnight. If the mixture is too firm to scoop when you’re ready to serve, scrape it to loosen the crystals. Makes 4 cups.

Lemon Ice: Bring the water, sugar, and salt to a simmer over high heat and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.

Pour the liquid into a 9- by 13-inch pan and let it cool to room temperature, about 15 minutes.

Cover the mixture with plastic wrap, then freeze and scrape as you did for the Blueberry Ice. Makes 3 cups.

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of the water and all of the sugar. Bring the liquid to a simmer and continue simmering it for about 3 minutes, stirring often, until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pan from the heat and let the syrup cool.

Put the berries and the remaining 1/4 cup of water into the bowl of a food processor and puree them for 30 seconds. Strain the puree to remove the seeds.

In a pitcher, stir together the cooked syrup, the orange and lemon juices, and the seedless berry puree. Pour the mixture into two ice-cube trays and freeze until firm (generally 6 or more hours). A pitcher or a mixing bowl with a spout will make filling the ice-cube trays easier and neater.

When you’re ready to serve the sorbet, chill serving dishes in the freezer and briefly chill your food processor bowl and blade as well. Then transfer the fruit cubes to the food processor and pulse them, in short bursts, to make a smooth sorbet. Spoon the sorbet into the chilled dishes and serve immediately. Makes about 6 servings.

Bob Harper from the hit NBC show The Biggest Loser has recently written a cookbook called The Skinny Rules: The Simple, Nonnegotiable Principles for Getting to Thin. In this book, he talks about the importance of reading food labels and eating the correct portion sizes. Harper says it’s also important to make at least 10 meals at home every week.

What’s in

Lots of water at each meal; a real breakfast, such as oatmeal, eggs or plain Greek yogurt, doctored up with berries and nuts; apples and berries every day, along with other fibrous fruits such as Asian pears, in certain quantities; protein at every meal and lots of fiber; and unlimited amounts of certain vegetables-though they must be prepared correctly (favorites are kale and broccoli)

What’s important

Learn to read food labels; stop guessing about portion sizes; have a meatless day each week; make at least 10 meals a week at home; cut off eating three hours before bed; sleep right; and, thankfully, allow yourself a splurge meal once a week.

Are you looking for a healthier way to quench your sweet tooth? Add fruit to your desserts and enjoy benefits such as high vitamin content and antioxidants. Here are some tasty recipes with fruit you can try.

Grilled Peach Sundaes

Ingredients

2 peaches, halved and pitted

1 teaspoon canola oil

2 scoops nonfat vanilla frozen yogurt or fruit sorbet

1 tablespoon toasted unsweetened coconut

Preparation

Preheat grill to high. Brush peach halveswith oil. Grill until tender. Place 2 peach halves in each bowl and top with a scoop of frozen yogurt (or sorbet) and coconut.

Pina Colada Yogurt Parfait

Ingredients

1/3 cup reduced-fat vanilla yogurt

1/2 cup crushed canned pineapple, or canned mandarin oranges

1 tablespoon toasted coconut

Preparation

Top yogurt with pineapple (or canned mandarin oranges) and coconut.

Cocoa-Nut Bananas

Ingredients

4 teaspoons cocoa powder

4 teaspoons toasted unsweetened coconut

2 small bananas, sliced on the bias

Preparation

Place cocoa and coconut on separate plates. Roll each banana slice in the cocoa, shake off the excess, then dip in the coconut.

Vegetables are so important for a diet because of their many health benefits. They may reduce the risk for heart disease, heart attack, certain types of cancers, obesity, type 2 diabetes, kidney stones, and decrease bone loss.

So many nutrients are packed into just a small amount of vegetables. They do not contain cholesterol and are always low in fat and calories. Some of the power nutrients they contain are potassium, dietary fiber, folate (folic acid), vitamin A and vitamin C.

Freshef meals make it easy to cut down on cooking time. Why not use those extra minutes to have a meal as a family? Studies have shown that eating meals with family have several significant advantages; so put away the TV trays and pull up a chair to the dining room table!

Kids who eat dinner with their families are shown to have a healthier weight and better eating habits than those who don’t. They are also considerably less likely to have eating disorders.

Aside from the health benefits, children are more likely to have a better vocabulary and conversation skills when they spend meals with their family. They are more likely to succeed in school, and have better relationships with their peers. Overall, they are happier and have better bonds with their families.

If you are not currently eating regular meals together, start small. Set a goal of eating together twice a week, and build from there. Meals don’t need to be elaborate or time consuming. Planning ahead will reduce the stress of last minute trips to the grocery store. And don’t forget- keep the family involved with the preparation- kids can help cut vegetables, set the table, or even plan the menu. Most importantly, make family mealtime enjoyable!